Air-motor.



C. McGREGOH, DECD.

1. H. MCGREGOR! ADMINISTRATRIX AIR MOTOR.

APPLICATION FLLED FEB. 3. 1912 Patented Oct. 15, 1918 3 bHEETS-SHEET I WITNESSES Q (j vec ow Afforney s m: mums PETERS c0. Puma-unis, wAsunvmou. u c.

C. MCGREGOR, DECD.

J. H. McGREGOR, ADMINISTRATRIX.

AIR MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3. 19x2.

Patented Oct. 15, 1918 3 SHEETSSHEET '2 PETER! m. Pnnmumm. WISNVNCYOI]. n. c.

CI MCVGREGOR, DECD.

I. H. MEGREGOR, ADMINISTRATRIX.

AIR IVIOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED FEBI 3. I9I2.

1 8. Patented Oct. 15, I918.

Af/omey m: mmms Pzrzns ca. Prwm-LITHQ, wAsumcmm n cy cnannns MCGREGOR, or DERBY, NEW HAMPSHIRE; s'n'ivivrn n. Meeaneon, ADMINIS- TRAIBIX or sen) CHARLES MoGREGOR, nncnesnnnssronon or ONE-THIRD T HENRY w. BLAIR, or MANCHESTER, new HAMPSHIRE, AND ONE-THIRD 'ro JOHN C. McG-BEGOR, or NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

AIR-MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1918.

Application filed. February 3, 1912. Serial No. 675,262.

lowing to be a full, clear, and exact descrip tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled. in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to wind motors, and it relates more especially to the oscillating type of wind motors, having certain characteristics analogous to those embodied in my patent, Serial No. 717,110, dated December 30, 1902.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that is simple of construction, economical from the point of manufacture and maintenance and thor oughly eflicient in operation.

A. further object of the invention is to provide means associated therewith whereby it will protect itself, automatically against unusually strong currents of wind and will be operated by comparatively moderate currents.

A still further object of the invention is to obviate the necessity for lubricating the principal working parts of the motor.

A still further object is to provide means by which the motor may be manually op-' erated when there is no wind current.-

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is an elevation view of the motor as viewed from the direction counter to the wind current.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental detail perspective view of the vane ShOWn in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4.4 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 5 is a fragmental detail sectional view through the supporting frame or tower, showing the rocker member and its adjunct-s.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the blade shifting lever and the means for holding it out of operative position.

Fig. 7 is a view in elevation and partly in section of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a verticalsectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 7,-and,

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view, showing the wind operated and weighted lever hereinafter described.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the tower or support for the wind motor is represented by the numeral 11, supporting the apertured block 12 on whlch is rotatably seated a table 13, preferably through the medium of a vane supporting beam 15. A rocker 1 1 is movably seated on the table. The table 13 and beam 15 are apertured and are preferably connectedtogether by means of a hollow cylinder 16 which extends down through the aperture of the block 12 and thereby pivotally connects thetable and block.

Secured to the lower central part of the rocker 1 1 is a supporting hook or the like 17 from which is suspended a link 18, which is adapted to connect with a pump or other' device (not shown) to be operated.

' Secured to the rocker bybolts or the like, as'at 19 are the lower beams 20 of a truss frame, an upper beam 21 being secured thereto at 22, and to this frame, which normally rests in approximately horizontal po sition, are secured the sails which are designated-23. These sails consist of perforated standards 24:, secured to the said truss frame, and a series of horizontally disposed blades 25 pivoted at 26 in the apertures of the standards. The blades, in this embodiment of my invention, are provided with apivot 27 which engages a series of apertures in the vertically disposed and vertically movable shifting rod 28, through the medium of which the blades 25 may be shifted from one to the other of two oppositely inclined positions or planes.

The shifting mechanism for the blades consists in a pair of bell cranks 29 and 30 by a link 33. The bell crank 30 is pivotally secured, at 34, to one of the shifting rods 28 by means of a link 35. The bell crank 29 is pivotally secured at 36 to the other shifting rod by means of a link 37.

The bell crank 29 is provided with a weight 38 for the purposeto be hereinafter specified.

The operation of this motor is as follows:

Considering Fig. 2, the arrow 41!. indicating the direction of the wind, it is seen that the vane 39, supported by the beam or arm 15, retains the sail 23 in a plane at right angles F to the direction of the wind. It iss'een that the blades 25 are pointing downward and rearward, or are inclined in the direction of the lower part of the vane. It is obvious that the force of the wind against the inclined surfaces of the blades"will tend to raise the blades, the sail and the end of'the truss frame. are'inclined in the opposite direction or toward the upper end of the vane,and it is obvious that the Wind current would tend to force the last said blades and sail downward. It requires but a slight, current to cause the sails to yield to their respective tendencies, thereby moving the truss frame to a consid erable angle from the horizontal position shown. When the truss frame has become inclined to a certain predetermined angle, the lever 29 will move therewith, carrying the weight 38 past the pivotal point 31, and when it is past said pivotal point to a sufficient extent, the weight and lever will be moved through the force of gravity to the other of its, two extreme positions, and through the medium of the link 37 will cause the shifting bars to change their re? spective positions and to dispose the blades at different and opposite angles.

It is obvious that this shifting of the blades will cause the wind current to move the respective sails in the opposite direction. The bell crank 29 will again carry the weight 38 vertically over the pivot 31, the blades will again be shifted and the operation described will be repeated so long as the wind current is sufiicient and the blades are allowed to assume their respective angles. 1

As the truss frame oscillates, it is obvious that the rocker 14 will continually rock back and forth on the table 13 and will cause the hook 17' and connecting link 18 to reciprocate vertically. It is obvious that the greater the oscillatory stroke of the truss frame, the greater the reciprocatory stroke of the link 1'8, and consequently, the greater the power exerted and work accomplished. It is therefore desirableto have the frame work with the longest possible stroke; and in carrying out this object I e provi ed a "sweeti tel sien ee The blades of the other sail,

mechanism which consists of a lever 39 piv oted at 40 to the truss frame and connected by a link 41 to one of the shifting bars 28. The lever 39 carries a heavy plate 42 at its upper end, said plate being movably secured on the lever 39 by means of a set screw 43. It is obvious that the plate 42 acts, by gravity and by the force of wind thereagainst, for pressing the lever 39, and c oacting with the link 41, for holding the shifting-rod 28 in closed position and there by exerting a resistance, which counteracts the tendency of the members 29 and 38 to move the shifting rod 28 from one to the other of its normal positions. When the wind current increases the pressure upon the plate 42 is thereby increased, and the motion resisting effect upon the members 29 and 38 is increased, which results in .the truss frame having to make longer oscillatory strokes than when the wind pressure is slight. It is therefore obvious that while the motor accomplishes more work, it is not caused to move with appreciably increased speed, but by making longer strokes. The speed may be predetermined and regulated by employing the. plate 42 of greater or less size and weight, and by shifting the plate 42 up or down on the lever 39, as circumstances may demand.

For the purpose of throwing the motor out of operation when desired, I have provided a neutralizing mechanism which consists of a stop member 44, pivoted'at 45 to the upper beam 21 and has a horizontal extension 46 pivoted at 47, terminating in a lever 48, to which is connected, at 49, an operating member 50, which maybe of any proper construction or material. The member-'44 is provided with a loop 45 which is adapted to receive the lever 29 and to hold it in a medial position between its two extremefpositions, and thereby to hold each of the horizontal blades. 25 on a horizontal plane; thus allowingv the wind current to pass freely through the} sails, whereupon the oscillation of thesails and frame will cease. In operating the stop member 44 it. is only necessary to raise the member 50, thereby causing the stop member tocontact with the lever 29 which will fall into the loop 45 at the proper time. This result may be accomplished either by raising the member 50 by hand, or said member 50 maybe connected in any proper and well known manner with a float (not shown).

Any proper form ofblades 25 may be employed, but I preferthe form shown in Fig. 6, in which the pivots 26 and 27 have hook ends 26 ,passing through apertures in the blades and a supporting a loop or strap 26 embracing the blade and pivots for holding with a standard 51 having an aperture 52 near its upper end. Secured to the rocker- 1st, and standing at right angles thereto is the rocker shaft or pivot brace 53, said brace being loosely pivoted in the standard 51, and adapted to oscillate and to rock with the rocker and truss frame and to aid in supporting the truss frame and hold the sails in their vertical positions.

The vane 39 is'provided with an auxiliary Vane or air cushioning plate 54:, standing on a plane perpendicular'to that of the vane 39, and by the use of this auxiliary vane it has been found that the motor is held much more steady than when it is omitted.

It may be desirable at times, when there is no wind current, to operate this wind motor by manually operated means, and such means may consist of a rod or the like 55 by which the truss frame may be caused to oscillate by a person alternatelypulling and pushing on the rod'55.

In lieu of the form of motor described in the foregoing I may employ a somewhat modified form, in which I provide a solid beam 56, instead of the truss frame, to which the sails are secured. In this modification the blades 25 are substantially the same as the blades '25, but instead of being pivoted at their ends are hinged to standards 24?, secured to the beam 56. The blades are also hinged to a shifting rod 28. These'shifting rods are connected by a tension rod 57 through the medium of which pressure is.

brought to bear upon the shifting rods for tending to hold the blades in closed position. A bracket 58, secured to the beam 56 constitutes a bearing for the pivot 59 of a tensioning lever 60, the lower end 61 of which bears upon the tension rod 57. Secured on the upper end of the lever is a plate 62, adapted to receive the force of the wind current and to impart a proportional pressure upon the rod 57. The pressure may also be regulated by means of the weight 63, which may be moved up or down on the lever 60 and secured at the desired point by means of a set screw 64.

Instead of the shifting mechanism described, I may employ a shifting beam 65, which is pivotally supported at 66 by means of T-shaped brackets 67, secured thereto. The beam. is connected to the shifting rods 28 through the medium of links 68 and eye-bolts 69, the latter being rigidly secured to the shifting rods 28 and extending under the blades 25. The links 68 are passed through apertures 70 in the beam 56, and it is obvious that when the frame and sails oscillate, the T-shaped bracket 67 will oscillate on its pivot 72, carrying with it the beam 65. That is, the T-brackets and beams 65 will tend to retain their normal positions, and there will be a relative movement between the beams 56 and 65, which will result in moving the links 68 and shifting rods 28 vertically, and thereby changing inclination of the blades 25.

It is obvious, from the foregoing descri1 tion of the lever 60 and tension rod 57, that the pressure exerted thereby on the shifting rods 28 will retard thefshifting action of the blades 25 to such an extent that the beam 56 and sails oscillate with a longer stroke, because the stroke continues until the blades are shifted.

It is obvious that the I enera'l principles and operation of this modified form are similar to those described for the other form of my invention.

I do not limit my invention to the exact details of construction and arrangement of parts as shown and described in the foregoing, but my invention may be limitedonly by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims.

I desireto call special attention to the fact that I have provided means for operating my wind mill manually or otherwise when there is insuflicient wind current to accomplish this result and I therefore call particular attention to the showing made in Fig. l of the drawings wherein it will be observed tha-t the rod 55 is shown as pivotally connected to the rocking beam of my wind mill, which will thus enable theoperator' to strongly push upward as well as to draw downward incident to the operation of. the parts. By this means I am enabled 7 to. positively actuate my wind mill whereby the rocking movement may be readily and easily accomplished and the pumping operation consummated as perfectly as when 0perated by the force of the wind. It will further more be obvious that the said rigid rod may be operatively connected with any suitable form of motor designed for this purpose. Moreover said form of rigid control will be useful in initially starting or overcoming the inertia of starting the machine by the wind.

What I claim 1. In a wind motor, a rocker, a horizontal beam carried by the rocker and supporting two constantly vertical and shiftable sails in normally balanced relation and adapted to be oscillated in a vertical plane by a wind current blowing at right angles to the plane of oscillation, and means operated by the oscillatory motion of the beam for shifting the sails and thereby reversing the oscillatory stroke of the beam.

2. In a wind motor, a normally horzontal beam supported at its middle portion and carrying two similar vertical sails at its opposite ends, said sails comprising shiftable blades, gravity operated means connecting all of the blades for shifting those of the respective sails into oppositely inclined planes and in synchronism, and means coacting with the first said means for exerting a tension an all of the blades and thereby retarding their shifting motion, said sails being adapted to be oscillated vertically by the action of the wind and in a plane at right angles to the direction of the wind.

3. In a wind motor, a horizontal beam balanced at its middle portion, shiftable sail members carried by the beam and adapted to coact with a wind current for causing the beam to oscillate, means coacting with the oscillatory beam for shifting the sail members, a vane associated with the beam for holding it at right angles to the Wind current, and an auxiliary vane secured rigidly on the free end of the first said vane and disposed at right angles thereto and to the direction of the wind current.

i 4. In a Wind motor, a beam, sails on the beam adapted to be moved by acurrent of wind, a vane for holdingthe sails in operative relation to the wind, said vane comprising a plate disposed parallel with the wind current and a plate rigidly secured on the free end of the first said plate at right Copies of this patent may be obtained. for

right angles thereto and serving as an air cushioning element for steadying the first said vane.

6. In a wind motor a sail having pivoted blades adapted to be moved by a wind current, said blades consisting of thin strips of wood perforated near their ends and hooked pivot-members each engaging with one of the apertures of the blades, each pivot member extending along the edge of the blade and beyond the end thereof, and a binding member passing across the blade and embracing the pivot. members;

7; In a motor of the class described, the combination with a pair of sails having a plurality of blades, truss bars carrying the blades, and means associated therewith for swinging said blades, of a pivotally mounted lever having one of its ends in contact with the blade controlling means, a plate adapted to be actuated by the Wind for actuating the lever and thereby retarding the swinging movement of the blade, and means for adjustably securing said plate to the lever whereby the force of the leverage exerted may be increased or decreased.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the'presence of two'subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES MCGREGORQ W tnesse C. E. FETZ'ER, S. WV. Fi'rz GERALD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, :0. c." 

